Weeks have passed since the game’s launch and players are still asking for an offline mode. Following a disastrous launch with broken matchmaking, one question persists: Is there a valid reason for not having an offline play option?
NOTE: Some of the information provided in this article is based on speculation which has not been confirmed by the developers.
The Reason Behind the Always-Online Requirement
Payday 2 had a fundamental cheating problem. This set a precedent for its successor to try and combat this. However, it appears that the solution falls short of expectations. Many players are reporting instances of cheaters in Payday 3, and, despite the developers' best efforts, the always-online system seems to be causing more frustration within the player base than the cheaters themselves.
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Starbreeze Studios' commitment to providing cross-platform support for PlayStation 5, Xbox, and PC contributes to their justification for the always-online requirement. This endeavor aims to rectify the prior installment's shortcomings in console support. Unfortunately, well-intentioned efforts don't always yield favorable results.
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Solo Play on the Path of Extinction
Payday 3 is not an isolated case when it comes to questionable Digital Rights Management (DRM) practices. Although it is a cooperative shooter, the game offers ample enjoyment for solo players. Whether you're attempting a stealthy heist on the highest difficulty or managing your team of AI heisters while fending off waves of relentless law enforcement.
Prominent content creators, streamers, and partners such as RedArcherLive, marioinatophat, GeneralMcBadass, TheKknowley have advocated for the implementation of an offline time and time again.
In today's gaming landscape, digital ownership is heavily reliant on online services like Steam and Epic Games. A disturbing global trend is hurting people's access to purchased goods, regardless of whether they own a physical copy of a game. This trend threatens consumers' rights to enjoy and play the games they purchase.
Will the Developers Heed Player Feedback?
It's common for online games to encounter issues, errors, and bugs at launch. It's virtually impossible to anticipate all the ways in which players can stress-test a game. At the end of the day, what distinguishes amazing developers from the rest is not just their technical expertise but also their responsiveness to player feedback. It is up to Payday 3’s developers to decide which path they will take.
Starbreeze Studios has demonstrated unwavering dedication to the Payday franchise, striving to deliver an enjoyable experience for fans. While it's easy to be pessimistic, the removal of Denuvo before the game's launch signals that the developers are attentive to player input.
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Will an Offline Mode be Released?
While an offline mode remains "on the table" as indicated in their FAQ page, the developers must be held accountable. The launch day woes underline the potential pitfalls of relying solely on an always-online system, which can undermine the game's longevity.
